Chinese Dissident Flies To U.s. In Wake Of Jiang's Return Home

BEIJING — One of the few Chinese dissidents not in prison left China and arrived in the U.S. on Wednesday, the day after President Jiang Zemin returned triumphant from his American tour.

In a statement faxed to Reuters, activist Bao Ge said he was taking advantage of a more relaxed climate of "political tolerance" after Jiang's visit to avoid another jail sentence.

"With no guarantees for my livelihood and facing the stern prospect of a return to jail, I have decided to take advantage of the brief period of political tolerance following the visit of President Jiang Zemin to the United States," he said in a statement faxed by a friend as he prepared to depart Shanghai airport.

Upon his arrival in New York, a smiling Bao said, "I am happy that I left . . . that repressive regime."

His sister, Bao Ying, who accompanied him on the trip, said her brother would return to China "as soon as the situation relaxes. . . . I think not more than one year."

In China, citizens need the government's permission to travel overseas, but it was not possible to confirm whether Bao's departure was linked to any improvement in U.S.-Chinese relations.

The Clinton administration had been hoping that China would release at least one imprisoned dissident as a gesture of good will to mark last week's summit, and Bao's departure would be unlikely to satisfy critics who are calling for China to release all imprisoned dissidents.

"We do not see this as a sign of political tolerance. We see it as a sign of persecution," said Xiao Qiang of the New York-based group Human Rights in China. "Bao knows that the reason he has to leave China is because they don't tolerate voices like his, so he has to go into exile. He won't be allowed back for a very long time."

After serving a 3-year sentence, Bao was released from Shanghai No. 1 Labor Camp on June 4, the eighth anniversary of China's 1989 crackdown on the democracy movement in Beijing. He had called for Japan to pay war damages to China and for China to reverse its verdict on the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

He underwent three years of "re-education through labor," a form of administrative detention that does not require trial.

His reported departure came as lawmakers in Washington began to debate a package of tough measures against China that are certain to enrage Beijing and which the administration fears could upset progress in U.S.-Chinese ties made last week. The debate was put off last week out of respect for Jiang's visit.

Administration officials say the new relationship depends on building a climate of exchange and dialogue with Chinese officials, and they believe punitive measures would backfire by toughening China's resolve not to submit to external pressures. The legislation under consideration would:

- Increase U.S. human rights monitors in China at a cost of $2.2 million. The State Department says it already does an adequate job.

- Add customs agents at a cost of $2 million to help enforce the longstanding U.S. ban on Chinese prison-made goods.

- Urge the administration to enforce a 1992 law that requires the president to sanction China for exporting missiles to Iran.

- Ban U.S. travel for Chinese officials responsible for religious persecution, allowing exceptions for the head of state and Cabinet ministers. The administration says this contradicts its policy of expanding dialogue with China and could result in retaliatory travel bans for U.S. officials.

- Ban U.S. travel for Chinese officials who require abortions for population control, a policy Jiang said doesn't exist in China.

- Study ways to help Taiwan develop a missile defense system at an estimated cost of $500,000. The White House says Taipei's defense needs are being met by ongoing U.S. arms purchases.

Rep. Lee Hamilton (D-Ind.) argued the package would "do more harm than good" and damage the U.S.-Chinese relationship. He urged lawmakers to work with Beijing to try to influence China instead of sanctioning the regime.

"The House will be perceived as demonizing China, and China may very well respond in kind," Hamilton said.

"I do not believe it serves America's interests today to paint China as a second evil empire. That's not the prescription for a productive relationship."

"China's behavior is absolutely unacceptable, and this Congress cannot just stand idly by and do nothing," countered Rep. Gerald Solomon (R-N.Y.). "Especially after the president of the United States fell over himself last week, rolling out the red carpet for this Chinese dictator and offering him a bag of goodies in return for a couple of empty promises."